Italian Cookbooks
After you experience food in Italy, particularly in one of my favorite coastal areas, Cinque Terre, you'll want to high-tail it back home andbrush up on your cooking skills with some great Italian cookbooks.
There's nothing like the pasta and the soups and the pizza and the wonderful dishes you can get while traveling through Italy. If you stay away from the touristy restaurants and follow where the locals go, many times you'll be served excellent home-cooked meals.
If you want to try your hand at recreating some of the yummy dishes you experienced while traveling, keep the memory alive by practice cooking Italian style. Here's a way you can do that. Read some reviews of some of my favorite Italian cookbooks and see if any of them strike a chord. Enjoy and cook up a storm!
  The Classic Italian Cookbook
by Marcella Hazan
Review By Blair (San Clemente, CA, USA)
“I've been a fan of "The Classic Italian Cookbook" for 25 years, and my copy is falling apart. I bought two copies of "Essentials" (which expands upon and updates the original), one for my own use and one for friends who have admired "my" Italian cooking. I spent several happy hours annotating favorite recipes for my friends and in my own new copy. I recommend it highly. ”
  Italian Immigrant Cooking
by Elodia Rigante
Reviewed by a reader on Amazon.com
Mrs. Rigante and my husband's grandmother were aquaintances in her Brooklyn neighborhood; they lived just a few blocks from one another. Grandma didn't write down a lot of her recipes, so Mrs. Rigante's cookbook [Italian Immigrant Cooking (Immigrant Cookbook Series, Bk. #1)] is a lifesaver. Their recipes are so similar it's like having a bit of home every time you open up the book. We can't look through it without getting hungry! Every recipe we've tried is excellent, and I love the family anecdotes and pictures. This is a staple for every cookbook collection.
  The Fine Art of Italian Cooking
by Giuliano Bugialli
Reviewed by Mark A. Braatz "Casual Chef" (Madison, WI)
This book [The Fine Art of Italian Cooking: The Classic Cookbook, Updated & Expanded] is jammed with great recipes. I highly recommend it if you want to challenge yourself in Italian cooking. We have enjoyed a few dishes and will continue to dive into this great book.
  Italian Farmhouse Cookbook
by Susan Herrmann Loomis
Review by reader at Amazon.com
[In the Italian Farmhouse Cookbook] over two hundred recipes and kitchen tips from farmers and growers are accompanied by no photos, but provide an excellent guide to the best seasons and uses of fresh produce. From Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms to Golden Artichoke Rolls and Cornmeal Cookies, this provides a rich assortment of Italian favorites.
 Cucina Di Calabria
by Mary Amabile Palmer
Review by reader at Amazon
This book [Cucina Di Calabria: Treasured Recipes and Family Traditions from Southern Italy (Cookbooks) ] was added to our collection about 2 months ago and it has rapidly become our favorite cook book. The recipes are very easy to follow and the ingredients readily available. It has been like dining at a Trattoria with every meal. Even the addition of a side dish complements other main courses. I strongly recommend this as part of your library or as a gift.
Below are some other useful links to browse through if you are planning a trip to Italy.
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